Vinyl pressings
by Rufus & Chaka Khan · 1975
Sweet Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 8 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
T 16873-S ③Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
T 16874-S ③Runout, side B, etched, variant 1
16873-S ④ T1Runout, side A, variant 2
16874-S ④ T11Runout, side B, variant 2
p 16873-S 6A-Side Runout Etching (var 1)
16874-S p 6B-Side Runout Etching (var 1)
16873-S - ⑪ pA-Side Runout Etching (var 2)
p 16874-S ⑤B-Side Runout Etching (var 2)
16873-S ⑤A-Side Runout Etching
16874-S ⑤B-Side Runout Etching
45-16873-SA-Side Label
45-16874-SB-Side Label
16873-S ① SSSide A Runout, etched
16874-S ① SSide B Runout, etched
45-16873-SSide A Label
45-16874-SSide B Label
45-16873-MVar. 1, runout side A
45-16873-SVar. 1, runout side AA
45-16873-M ⑦ SVar. 2, runout side A
45-16873-S ① SSSSVar. 2, runout side AA
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | ABC Records 1022-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | ABC Records 16699ATFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | New Zealand | ABC Records ABC-16873First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Philippines | ABC Records ABC-45-017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCS 0013First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | UK | ABC Records ABC 4091First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | ABC Records ABC 4091First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABC-12149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Sweet Thing are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is ABC Records ABC-12149.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABC-12149, ABC 4091, 1022-12149, 16699AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T 16873-S ③ and T 16874-S ③. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
